Cam-controlled perforators

ABSTRACT

A code perforator wherein a single rotating perforator cam controls all the motions of a punch and employing a coupling rocker and a coupling element each of which slidably follow the perforator cam. The coupling rocker has a claw-shaped end which engages the punch in order to return the punch from the perforating position to an inoperative position. The cam advantageously has a peripheral camming profile composed of mutually symmetrically disposed sections for deflection of the coupling rocker and coupling element in phased relation to one another and to provide unambiguous stationary phases.

United States Patent [1 1 Koeiferlein [4 1 Oct. 30, 1973 CAM-CONTROLLED PERFORATORS Rainer Koefferlein, Munich, Germany Inventor:

[73] Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft,

Berlin and Munich, Germany Filed: Jan. 19, 1971 Appl, No.: 107,668

Foreign Application Priority Data Jan. 30, 1970 Germany P 20 04 287.9

11.5. Cl 83/563, 83/572, 83/628 Int. Cl.. B26d 5/08 Field of Search 83/628, 563, 572, 83/590, 626

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 9/1960 Woodbury et a1. 83/590 X 2/1962 Millis 83/572 X Bodreau et al. 83/628 X Towle 83/572 Primary ExaminerAndrew R. Juhasz Assistant Examiner-Leon Gilden Attorney-Hill, Sherman, Meroni, Gross & Simpson 57 ABSTRACT A code perforator wherein a single rotating perforator cam controls all the motions of a punch and employing a coupling rocker and a coupling element each of which slidably follow the perforator cam. The cou' pling rocker has a claw-shaped end which engages the punch in order to return the punch from the perforating position to an inoperative position. The cam advantageously has a peripheral camming profile composed of mutually symmetrically disposed sections for deflection of the coupling rocker and coupling element in phased relation to one another and to provide unambiguous stationary phases.

9 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures ill,

PATENTEU DU 30 !975 1 CAM-CONTROLLED PERFORATORS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to code perforators in which individual perforator punches are coupled to respective operating cams through individual coupling elements, and more particularly to code perforators wherein each of which coupling elements is pivotally arranged upon a rotatably-mounted coupling rocker formed at one end as the armature of a control solenoid, and in which perforating movements of a punch are prevented by the energizing of the solenoid, so that the arm of the rocker which forms an armature is held in a position in which the coupling element is disengaged from the punch.

2. Description of the Prior Art Tape (data carrier) cam-controlled code perforators presently employed may be advantageously operated at high speeds. In such code perforators, which often carry out for example 160 perforations and more per second, a simple eccentric drive must be capable of operating reliably at 9,600 r.'p.m. or faster. Code perforators are primarily mechanical devices and because of this in each perforating operation, mechanically-moved components must necessarily be decelerated and accelerated and the inertia forces determined by these components become increasingly important. In code perforators where the movements of the mechanicallyoperated components are controlled by cams,.the design of suitable cam profiles can be effective to produced motions which avoid extremes of acceleration. Cam-controlled motion transmitting arrangements should not be subject to play or to bounce effects, and should be insensitive throughout a wide range to fluctuations in the environmental conditions and changes in the corresponding forces involved, such as for example changes in friction and tolerances in the in spring loads or solenoid forces. The foregoing requirements have been met in general, and thus a code perforator can be constructedwhich is very reliable in operation.

A code perforator usually comprises a plurality of side-by side punching devices disposed 'transversly of a tape which is movable with respect to the punches, and each individualy punch of a punching device has associated therewith a coupling element which is moved intoposition between an intermediate element operated by the perforator, cam and the associated punch itself when the punch is to carry out a perforation operation. Selective coding is provided through the utilization of an associated solenoid whereby the coupling rocker is positioned to hold the punch out of the operating position through the energization of the associated solenoid. In the latter case, the movement of the coupling rocker ensures that the element carried thereon does not move into the field of action between the cam and the punch, and thus any perforating motion is prevented from taking place. In a known perforator each punch is assigned a solenoid having an armature connected to the associated coupling element. All of the solenoid armatures attached to their coupling elements, are placed in proximity to the associated solenoid once during each perforation cycle by an additional cam on a second cam shaft, and the energization of the associated solenoid thus constitutes the criterion of selection of the individual punches. After the completion of the perforating operatiomthe punches must be returned to their rest positions so that the data carrier (tape) being perforated can be movedforward to the next position. For this purpose, the justdescribed known arrangement is equipped with a rocking lever which is operated by still another cam on a third cam shaft.

For proper operation of this known device, the cycles of motion of the three cam shafts must be-precisely determined in relation to one another. In constructions where the cycle of motion of one cam shaft can be arbitrarily chosen, this determination is a far from an easy matter. In addition, a considerable expense is involved in the control and movement of the punches by three cams and their associated components.

The prior art also recognizes perforator constructions wherein it has been proposed to provide a pivoting rocker for each punch, which rocker pivotally carries the coupling element. This rocker is offered up to the particular associated solenoid, prior to each perforating operation, by a control rocker which is deflected by a cam on the cam carrying the perforator cams. In order to return the punches to the inoperative position a common return bar is provided for engaging the punches. This common return bar is also operated by a cam on the aforementioned cam shaft. There is therefore a substantially simpler relationship between the cycles of motion since all that is required is a single common can shaft upon which the perforator cams for the actual punching operation and the control cams for the deflection of the control rocker, are all arranged for simultaneous relation. Although the just-described arrangement may be realized at a cost substantially less than in the case of the other known previously discussed three cam shaft device, the relatively large stroke required of the punches presents a serious drawback since it impairs the speed of operation of a code perforator. Also, it would be advantageous if all the punching operations could be derived from a single cam and if the construction of th perforator could be still further simplified.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention therefore is to provide a code perforator of the kind described in which when the coupling element is deflected, the punch moves only through that distance which is essential for proper perforation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a code perforator having improved conditions of engagement between the coupling element and the punch.

Another object of the invention is to provide a simplifled camming arrangement for a code perforator. Another object of the invention is to provide an improved code perforator at a reduced cost of construction.

The features of the invention therefore reside in a code perforator wherein a single perforator cam carried on a single rotating cam shaft controls all the motions of a punch; wherein a coupling rocker and a coupling element pivotally carried on the coupling rocker slide on the perforator cam; and wherein the coupling rocker has a claw which engages the punch in order to return the punch from the perforating position into an inoperative position. This construction obviates the necessity for the specially-provided cams and controlled cams shafts which were hitherto required and the number of mechanically moved components may additionally be reduced because the control rocker is no longer needed in that the coupling rocker is deflected directly by the perforator cam. Moreover, the need for the independent return bar for returning the punches into the inoperative position is negated because the return function is also carried out by the coupling rocker.

The profile of the perforator cam is perferably composed of mutually symmetrically-disposed sections, so that the coupling element and the coupling rocker are deflected in a phased relationship to one another and have unambiguous stationary phases (dwell time). This structure provides the advantage that the time taken by the introduction of the coupling element between the cam and the punch, up to the commencement of the punch motion, is substantially longer than heretofore provided so that there is a greater freedom of choice in selecting the movement and acceleration conditions which govern the coupling element and the coupling rocker.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Other objects, features, and advantages of the invention, its organization, construction, and operation will be best understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a code perforator constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention; and

FIG. 2 is a timing diagram of the movement of the coupling rocker and coupling element of the perforator illustrated in FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In FIG. 1, the motions of each of the punches 1 (only one punch being shown), which are assembled in the guide 11 for longitudinal movement, are derived from the rotational motion of a perforator cam 2 which is fixed on a rotatable cam shaft 3. In order to derive the longitudinal motion a coupling element 4 is provided which is pivotally carried on a coupling rocker 5. All the coupling rockers 5 of the total perforator mechanism are mounted for common rotational movement on a shaft or spindle 6 and each comprises two arms 5a, 5b which extend at substantially right-angles to one another. One of these arms 5b which carries the coupling element 4, also carries a plain bearing 8 at the end facing the perforator cam 2 for sliding engagement with the perforator cam 2. The other side of this arm 5b is designed as an armature 7 for solenoid system 9. Each coupling element 4 and each coupling rocker 5 are held in mechanical engagement with the associated perforator cam 2 by a compression spring 10 which is disposed between the coupling element 4 and that arm 5 a of the coupling rocker 5 which extends substantially perpendicular to the punch 1. This arm 5a of the coupling rocker 5 has a claw or tip 12 which engages the punch 1 and whose function will be hereinafter described.

The perforator cam 2 illustrated in this embodiment is designed as a three-lift cam so that'with each complete revolution of the cam three perforating cycles are carried out. With rotation of the perforator cam 2 in the direction of the arrow 4), the coupling rocker 5 is deflected in the clockwise direction and in so doing the armature 7 is pivoted to a position adjacent to the solenoid system 9. If the relevant punch 1 is not to be operated during the next perforating cycle, the solenoid systern 9 is energized and holds the armature 7 back to prevent the coupling rocker from following the perforator cam 2. Consequently, the coupling element 4 is positioned down (as viewed in the drawing) during this perforating cycle and the coupling element 4 does not come into engagement with the punch 1 as it follows perforator cam. 2. Therefore, the punch 1 remains stationary in its inoperative position. If, on the other hand, the solenoid system 9 is not energized, then the coupling rocker 5, after the brief movement of its follower arm 5b and the armature 7 to a position adjacent the solenoid system 9, is rocked back in the opposite direction. By this action the coupling element 4 is pivotally positioned beneath the punch 1. In the further course of the cycle the coupling element 4 follows the perforator cam 2 and is deflected upwards by the perforator cam 2 thereby imparting longitudinal motion to the punch 1 and sliding the punch 1 into the perforating position. This phase of the movement is shown in FIG. 1.

After the above-punching movement the punch must be returned in order that the data carrier can be transferred into the next perforating position. This return action is achieved through the utilization of a claw 12 which is formed at the end of the arm 5a of the coupling rocker 5, which claw 12 engages an aperture in the punch 1 and, when coupling rocker 5 is deflected clockwise, moves the punch down toward an inoperative position in which the punch 1 finally rests against a stop 13.

The foregoing cycle of motion is illustrated in the graph of FIG. 2. In the graph the traces S4 and S5 indicate, respectively, the deflections of the coupling element and coupling rocker 5. The graph shows that there are essentially two phased motion sequences each of which is characterised by a clear and unambiguous stationary phase which defines the dwell time of the components 4 and 5. Only about three fourth of the cycle time is needed for the perforating stroke St, this time being indicated by the shaded area. The essential advantage of this phased relationship of the motion sequencesis that there is adequate time to slide the coupling element 4 beneath the punch 1. This sliding motion takes place during the maximum travel of the coupling rocker 5 while the coupling element 4 itself is in its stationary phase. It is therefore possible to restrict the travel of the punch 1 to the absolute minimum, which advantageously leads to an increase in the speed of operation of the perforator.

As shown in FIG. 2, the motion sequences chosen for the coupling element 4 and the coupling rocker 5, also have the property that in terms of their individual parts they are symmetrical with respect to an axis parallel to the time'axis. This is particularly effective during the return motion of the punches 1, during which time the coupling rocker 5 and the coupling element 4, which are positively guided on the perforator cam 2, cannot bind. The advantage of bind-free operation is of particular importance because an intolerable degree of wear of the perforator cam 2 and the guide surfaces of the coupling element 4 and coupling rocker 5 is consequently avoided. In order to further reduce the wear a lubricator felt 14 is provided to which supply oil or grease to the sliding surfaces. The lubricator felt 14 may be arranged beneath the perforator cam 2, or, if otherwise advantageous, to another suitable position.

Although only a single embodiment of the invention has been particularly illustrated and described herein, many other embodiments are clearly possible. For example, the invention is not limited to the use of a triplelift cam as the perforator cam. The essentials of the invention reside primarily in the motion sequences of the coupling element and the coupling rocker, which are determined by the profile of the perforator cam. Also, in a perforator in accordance with the invention, one end of the punch is free of any mechanically moved components; Thus, there is adequate space there to arrange a perforator checking device, without a great deal of expense. Such a perforator checking device could, for example, be constituted by switching oscillatory circuits and employed to monitor the motion of the punch. 7

Many other changes and modifications may become apparent to and may be made in the invention by one skilled in the art without departing from the spitir and scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is to be understood that I intend to include within the patent warranted hereon, all such changes and modifications as may reasonably and properly be included within the scope of my contribution to the art.

What is claimed is:

l. A code perforator comprising: a movable punch movable between a perforating position and a nonperforating position; a single rotating perforator cam; a pivotally mounted coupling rocker including a claw for engaging said punch and slidable on said arm for moving said punch to its non-perforating position; and a coupling element pivotally mounted on said coupling rocker and slidable on said cam for moving said punch to its perforating position.

2. A code perforator according to claim 1, wherein said cam comprises a profile which includes a plurality of mutually symmetrically disposed sections whereby said coupling rocker and said coupling element are deflected in phased relation toone another and have unambiguous stationary phases.

3. A code perforator according to claim 1, comprising a compression spring disposed between said coupling rocker and said coupling element to ensure positive engagement with said cam.

4. A code perforator according to claim 1, comprising a punch stop which defines the limit of movement of said punch toward its non-perforating position.

5. A code perforator according to claim 1, wherein said coupling rocker comprises a pair of mutually perpendicular arms, one of said arms including means forming a solenoid armature and a bearing for sliding against said perforator cam.

6. A code perforator according to claim 5, comprising a solenoid energizable to hold said coupling rocker in a position to maintain said punch in its nonperforating position.

7. A code perforator according to claim 1, comprising means for continuously lubricating said cam.

8. A code perforator according to claim 7, wherein said lubrication means includes a felt in sliding engagement with said cam.

9. A code perforator comprising: a punch mounted for movement between a punching position and a nonpunching position, said punch having an aperture therein; a single rotatable cam having segments associ ated with said punching and non-punching positions of said punch; an energizable solenoid; a pivotally mounted coupling rocker including a first arm extending into the aperture of said punch and a second arm having a bearing slidably engaging said rotatable cam, said second arm including means defining an armature for solenoid whereby said punch may be prevented from travel to its punching position via said coupling rocker upon energization of said solenoid; a coupling element pivotally carried on said coupling rocker for sliding engagement with said rotatable cam and for engagement with said punch for moving said punch to its punching position; and resilient means disposed between and bearing on said first arm and said coupling element to urge same toward said rotatable cam. 

1. A code perforator comprising: a movable punch movable between a perforating position and a non-perforating position; a single rotating perforator cam; a pivotally mounted coupling rocker including a claw for engaging said punch and slidable on said arm for moving said punch to its non-perforating position; and a coupling element pivotally mounted on said coupling rocker and slidable on said cam for moving said punch to its perforating position.
 2. A code perforator according to claim 1, wherein said cam comprises a profile which includes a plurality of mutually symmetrically disposed sections whereby said coupling rocker and said coupling element are deflected in phased relation to one another and have unambiguous stationary phases.
 3. A code perforator according to claim 1, comprising a compression spring disposed between said coupling rocker and said coupling element to ensure positive engagement with said cam.
 4. A code perforator according to claim 1, comprising a punch stop which defines the limit of movement of said punch toward its non-perforating position.
 5. A code perforator according to claim 1, wherein said coupling rocker comprises a pair of mutually perpendicular arms, one of said arms including means forming a solenoid armature and a bearing for sliding against said perforator cam.
 6. A code perforator according to claim 5, comprising a solenoid energizable to hold said coupling rocker in a position to maintain said punch in its non-perforating position.
 7. A code perforator according to claim 1, comprising means for continuously lubricating said cam.
 8. A code perforator according to claim 7, wherein said lubrication means includes a felt in sliding engagement with said cam.
 9. A code perforator comprising: a punch mounted for movement between a punching position and a non-punching position, said punch having an aperture therein; a single rotatable cam having segments associated with said punching and non-punching positions of said punch; an energizable solenoid; a pivotally mounted coupling rocker including a first arm extending into the aperture of said punch and a second arm having a bearing slidably engaging said rotatable cam, said second arm including means defining an armature for solenoid whereby said punch may be prevented from travel to its punching position via said coupling rocker upon energization of said solenoid; a coupling element pivotally carried on said coupling rocker for sliding engagement with said rotatable cam and for engagement with said punch for moving said punch to its punching position; and resilient means disposed between and bearing on said first arm and said coupling element to urge same toward said rotatable cam. 